Construction National

ProntoCALC PRO section now available to all builders during free trial

The web-based build cost calculator, ProntoCALC allows the Builder to quickly and accurately produce a price for a project, and it hold all the Builder’s rates. As the quantities are entered, a cost schedule in PDF format of 14 pages is produced, detailing every aspect of the project. The second section, ProntoCALC PRO, is for when the work is won and construction begins. This section of the cost estimator helps Builders and their Clients to financially manage the project. 

The most important aspect of project cost management is the control of design changes/variations. There are two ways to apply a variation in ProntoCALC.  On the main site a variation list is created which adjusts the budget. If there is an item not covered in the quantities of the main site, or you have something you wish to remove from the budget, it can be done here. The variations in the PRO section work slightly differently. It is often important to have evidence based records of additional labour and material costs. Here the daily costs of individual labour and materials can be recorded which are then immediately applied to the budget. It is never a good idea to leave these adjustments to the final moments of a project. This record can be sent as a PDF to the client that will fulfil contractual requirements.

Read more: ProntoCALC PRO section now available to all builders during free trial

Up, up and away - house development by Mick George

Mick George Ltd, all things Skips, Concrete, Aggregates and big construction plant or equipment, or at least until last year where the dynamics changed and the business introduced its Home and Garden range, tapping further in to domestic markets outside of their familiar territories.

That venture was just the start of things to follow. October 2016, saw the launch of Mick’s Mates the installation service for residential and commercial premises, which brings together the use of local, accredited tradesmen from various disciplines.

Read more: Up, up and away - house development by Mick George

Nationwide Platforms takes tracked boom division nationally

Nationwide Platforms, the UK’s largest powered access specialist, has more than tripled its fleet of tracked boom lifts after taking delivery of a further 64 machines. Comprised of 56 Hinowa and eight large Teupen tracked boom lifts, the investment ensures its customers have unrivalled access to one of the largest and youngest fleets of tracked boom lifts throughout the UK. 

Read more: Nationwide Platforms takes tracked boom division nationally

The safe way to work at height

Businesses whose employees routinely work at height appreciate that to comply with safety regulations they must use appropriate access equipment, yet those undertaking only occasional or seasonal activities may be unclear about their responsibilities.

Briggs Equipment has therefore come up with ten tips to help businesses hire the most appropriate aerial access machines, also known as Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs), to maintain a safe environment for their workforce.

Read more: The safe way to work at height